10. Renewing or ending your tenancy

It's important that whenever you change, renew or end your rental agreement with your landlord that you do it properly.

Periodic or rolling agreement

Your tenancy will automatically become a periodic tenancy (or rolling agreement) if you don't sign a new tenancy agreement at the end of the fixed period. A periodic tenancy will continue rolling on from month to month or from week to week, depending on how often you pay your rent.

Signing a new fixed-term agreement

At the end of a fixed-term agreement you can renew your tenancy agreement for another fixed term. Agreeing to another fixed term will give you more security as a landlord is usually unable to evict you or raise the rent during the fixed term.

Ending the tenancy properly if you want to leave

You have the option to end the tenancy at the end of the fixed term however if you don’t end the tenancy in the correct way you will still be liable for the rent even if you no longer live at the property.

What is notice?

Notice is to be given in writing to the landlord and must give a date for quitting your tenancy, being either the last or first day of a period of your tenancy. For instance, if your tenancy started on 15th June then the 15th of every following month will be the first day of a period of your tenancy.

Tenancy renewal fee

Some letting agents and landlords will ask that you pay a fee for renewing the tenancy agreement after the fixed term ends. You are under no obligation to renew your tenancy agreement as it will automatically become a periodic tenancy after the fixed term ends even if you don't sign a new tenancy agreement.

Abandonment

If you leave a tenanted property without giving notice to the landlord your agreement with the landlord continues and the landlord can continue to charge you rent until the tenancy agreement is ended properly or the property is let to another tenant. You are liable for the rent until the date that the new tenants move in. The landlord can apply for a court order to make you pay what you owe.